The Art Of Solo: A Star Wars Story

ABRAMS books always release the most stunning companions to the new generation of "Star Wars" films and "The Art of Solo: A Star Wars Story" is their latest beauty. Compiled by Lucasfilm creative art manager Phil Szostak, the coffee table companion book is filled with hundreds of production paintings, concept art, matte paintings, storyboards, and accompanying text that lets you in on the process of making the film.

Interestingly, because the three main characters of this film have already existed, there isn't much concept for Szostak to show except in costume design. But it's fun to see the variations on the original costumes that the characters wore in the original trilogy. From Han's classic choice of boots, pants, and vest, to Lando's affinity for capes, we get a cool look into their early wardrobe options.

But it is the side characters like Qi'ra (played in the film by Emilia Clarke) that are the most interesting to see. For example, the early ideas for Qi'ra being an alien are illustrated, as are the various fashion aesthetics they tried out for her.

The book also looks at the creation of the various creatures such as The White Worms from Corellia, the design for robot L3, and new CGI character Rio. The various ships and weapons get full coverage here, as do the various locations such as the Crimson Dawn, Enfys Nest, and, of course, the iconic Millennium Falcon. This will please "Star Wars" fans as the detail of the ship is so legendary it's a treat to see how the look of an earlier Falcon was conceived.

The one drawback to these lovely volumes is that some of the concept designs are more interesting and more beautiful than what ended up on screen. But it's fascinating to see how much care and work the artists put into the films and shocking how quickly these movies get made with all of the high-concept ideas originally put on the table.

THE ART OF SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY By Phil SzostakABRAMS bookswww.abramsbooks.com$40.00

Kevin Taft is a screenwriter/critic living in Los Angeles with an unnatural attachment to 'Star Wars' and the desire to be adopted by Steven Spielberg.